No Show From Bulldogs at West End

It was a disappointing display of football from Ton Pentre on their visit to Swansea based outfit West End, with the 3-0 defeat leaving the Bulldogs without a win in three matches. Ton Pentre manager Dean Morris, will know that his team’s next two matches are vital against relegation candidates Tata Steel and Caerleon.

Match action from the Welsh League Division One match between West End and Ton Pentre.

WEST END 3-0 TON PENTRE MacWhirter Welsh League Division One Saturday, 6th April 2013

It was a disappointing display of football from Ton Pentre on their visit to Swansea based outfit West End, with the 3-0 defeat leaving the Bulldogs without a win in three matches. Ton Pentre manager Dean Morris, will know that his team’s next two matches are vital against relegation candidates Tata Steel and Caerleon.

Match action from the Welsh League Division One match between West End and Ton Pentre.

This latest display was frustrating, as of late the Bulldogs have been performing very well with victory over top of the table Taffs Well in early March, followed by an excellent performance against Bridgend Town that somehow ended in a draw and Ton Pentre were very unlucky not to get anything out of their midweek derby game against AFC Porth following a strong second-half display. Therefore, this performance against West End came as a shock.

West End came into this match having not played for four weeks through postponements. Therefore, the home team should have been lacking match practice, however, they looked more determined than the Bulldogs prior to kick-off and they started the match with much vigour.

The Bulldogs struggled to penetrate the final quarter of the pitch which added pressure on the Ton Pentre defence. In the 15th minute Ross Porter was forced into making a well executed tackle in the penalty area when West End broke free after the Bulldogs lost possession from a free kick. A goal looked inevitable but Porter got his boot to the ball to take it away from the attacker’s feet.

The hard surface at Pri Deri Park was making it difficult for both teams, who were looking to get the ball down and play, however, West End appeared to be more accustomed to the conditions and in the 20th minute these conditions assisted them in scoring their first goal.

From a corner kick the ball was sent into the box where a scramble ensued. The ball was bobbling about on the surface and neither attackers or defenders were able to get a clean connection on the ball. Ton’s Tom Davies attempted to clear the ball but it hit an opponent before coming back to rebound off him and into the goal past Jonathan Howe.

Two minutes later it was Ton Pentre’s turn to swing the ball into the box, from a corner kick that was won by Lloyd Toghill. It was sent to the back post where Porter turned it back into the danger zone to add confusion. A West End defender jumped to clear the ball but did so with the use of his hand. The match officials however, turned down the appeals from the Bulldogs players.

West End looked to finish Ton Pentre’s challenge early in the second half and during the 50th minute of play they hit the post following pressure from a corner kick. It was a lucky escape for the Bulldogs.

The home team went close again soon after when a lack of communication in the Ton Pentre defence allowed a West End striker to run free on goal. Howe was beaten by the shot, however, fortunately for the Bulldogs the effort was directed off target.

It seemed inevitable that West End would score again and they did just that in the 65th minute.

Ton Pentre go on the offensive against West End.

When Ton Pentre were attacking, Jaymie Wearn was incorrectly flagged offside by the Assistant Referee when he timed his run to perfection onto a through ball. From the resulting free kick the ball was sent diagonally up the pitch to the right wing. From this position the ball was crossed into the box where it was then hit beyond Howe for 2-0.

In the 87th minute midfielder Shane Brewer was caught in possession allowing West End the ability to counter-attack. The home team produced a good move which saw the ball end up in the back of the net for 3-0.

The Bulldogs will have to do better when they visit Tata Steel on Tuesday (9th April) at 6.15pm and on their journey to Caerleon on Saturday (13th April) at 2.30pm. Both are now key matches for the Bulldogs.